Automated device for wood floor edge sanding

ABSTRACT

An automated device for wood floor edge sanding has a chassis comprising a longitudinal slot and a motor slidably coupled to the longitudinal slot. Further, the device has a chain coupled about at least three sprockets, one sprocket coupled to a shaft of the motor such that when the motor is activated, the chain rotates about the sprockets and an edge sander coupled to the chain such that when the chain moves, the edge sander rotates ovally and it intermits travel laterally.

BACKGROUND

There are manual operating techniques used for sanding floors. Themanual operating techniques consist of a sequence of lapping andoverlapping motion.

There are also a variety of devices and/or machines for sanding woodfloors. For example, devices and/or machines may be equipped with travelmechanisms engaged to assist sanding while the operator has control ofthe operation.

There are robotic arm devices that may be used to sand wood floors.There are large arena-type resurface machines that may be ridden. Also,there are hand-operated machines. For example, a wood floor edge havinga spinning disc output. As another example, wood floor sanders maycomprise a random orbital sanding tool, which may be moved in a similardirection of the manually applied motion of operation.

An angle grinder is another resurfacing device used on metallic worksurfaces and stone surfaces. The output of movement may also use acoating movement of rubbing or spray application. There is also areciprocating device for painting, sanding, or coating.

DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS

The present disclosure can be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily toscale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

FIG. 1 is a right rear elevation view of an automated system for woodfloor edge sanding in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right rear perspective view of the automated system for woodfloor edge sanding such as is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the automated system for wood flooredge sanding as is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a top segment view of a loop extended of the automated systemfor wood floor edge sanding such as is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a top segment view of a loop less-extended of the automatedsystem for wood floor edge sanding such as is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a top segment view of a loop least-extended of the automatedsystem for wood floor edge sanding such as is shown in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An automated system for wood floor edge sanding of the presentdisclosure moves in a direction to control a power wood floor edgesanding tool when sanding edges of a wood floor. The motion produced bythe automated system for wood floor edge sanding replicates motioncommonly used in wood floor edge sanding by a trained technician.

The automated system for wood floor edge sanding of the presentdisclosure produces consistent output of an oval loop cycle engagingsequent transmitted travel synchronized with selectable control ofvelocities relative to the engaged travel sequent to a lap path, andtraverses, via a slider rod that is adapted to translate an opposingguide extended in the direction of travel.

The automated system for wood floor edge sanding of the presentdisclosure comprises a roller chain pin. At an overlap end via theendless roller chain pin, a first articulated tool adapted to drive aplurality of sprocket wheels. Further, the automated system for woodfloor edge sanding of the present disclosure comprises a lower elevationslider rod with a slider body including a second articulated tooladapted to pivot for traversing the floor in the loop motion

The automated system for wood floor edge sander further comprises aguide that translates guide wheels bias along the moving edge sandingtool at a predetermined proximity along the guide per each loop cycle.The automated system for wood floor edge sanding also comprises acollision stop switch, which is a failsafe feature to impede theoperation till restart.

FIG. 1 is a right rear perspective view of the automated system for woodfloor edge sanding 190. The automated system for wood floor edge sanding190 comprises a chassis frame 100. Coupled to the chassis frame 100 isan edge sander 12. The edge sander 12 comprises two swivel wheels 10 and11 and a disk 13. The edge sander 12 and coupled disk 13 are at a frontof the automated system for wood floor edge sanding 190.

A guide 14 is illustrated with dash lines at the floor surface edge. Inthis regard, the guide 14 may be a wall. Arrow 15 indicates thedirection of the automated system for wood floor edge sanding 190 as itmoves unidirectionally along the guide 14.

FIG. 2 is a perspective right rear exploded elevation view of theautomated system for wood floor edge sanding 190 without showing theedge sander 12. The chassis frame 100 comprises an upper platform 102.The upper platform 102 comprises an upper surface 17 and alower-underneath surface 18.

The upper platform 102 is coupled to a motor 450. The motor 450 iscoupled to and drives the drive sprocket 422 connected by a roller chain462 to an angular deflecting sprocket 424. Further, the drive sprocket422 is coupled via the roller chain to translating sprocket set 426 aand 426 b. The motor 450 comprises a tension spring 458, which relatescontinuous tension to the roller chain 462.

The upper platform 102 further comprises a longitudinal slot 192. Thelongitudinal slot 192 is elongated and widened for receiving the shaft20. The shaft 20 of the motor 450 moves along longitudinal slot 192relating tension and may selectively be moved in the direction of thelongitudinal slot 192 elongation.

The upper platform 102 further comprises a controller 50. The controller50 communicatively and selectively controls output.

The upper platform 102 further comprises a transmission switch 10. Thetransmission switch 10 is shown with a right angled dash line to sharethe shaft 20 using the fastener 184 below the angular deflectingsprocket 424. The transmission switch 10 engages and communicates to atransmission motor 250 for unidirectional travel.

The motor 250 and a gear 252 engages a coaxial gear 254 for drivingtravel engagement to coaxial rod 240. Drive wheels 210 and 212 onopposing ends of the coaxial rod 240 define a lead side.

The upper planform 102 on its translating end is in proximity with across slot 194. A cross frame member 104 defines a following side. Adistal suspended guide wheel 112 is slanted at its base to roll alongtwo surfaces. The slanged guide wheel 112 guide along a wall or placedguide to provide support and bias. The guide wheel 112 may be slightlycurvilinear and in slight variations normal in architecturalconstruction.

The coaxial rod 240 is not a right angle to the translating end crossframe 104. Instead, the coaxial rod 240 being steer biased to exemplifyguide contiguity.

The automated system for wood floor edge sanding 190 further comprises alower slide rail 300 and traversing slide body 302. Further, a pivotadapter 304 connects the sanding tool swivel wheel adjusting fastenerstem for an oscillating shift at each end between two reciprocatingpaths.

The automated system for wood floor edge sanding 190 further comprises adistal horizontal guide wheel 112. The horizontal guide wheel 112predetermined to roll along the base portion of a wall or guideequivalent.

The guide wheel 112 and slanted guide wheel 110 are affixed to the edgesanding tool 12 (FIG. 1 ). There are longitudinal-linear-dash-line alongthree corresponding sets of perforations through the platform 102, forselective interchange, reduce the roller chain 462, thereby lessoningthe loop distance.

Motor pivot mount holes 180, longitudinal slot 192, tension springadjusting holes 198 are longitudinally placed. This allows for woodfloor edge sanding having different widths of un-sanded areas. Thefastener shafts 184 and a nut set 182 is contrived to an engineeringstandard and may include additional spacers, flat washers and lockingwashers (not shown).

A unidirectional arrow 15 (FIG. 1 ), above the translating end crossframe 104 is shown. The unidirectional travel 15 is compatible with thewood floor edge sander 12 having the spinning disk, defined as frictionforce urged leftwards in the travel direction. The transmission motor250 has a gear reduction that is resistant to travel when not engagedvia circuit.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the automated device for wood flooredge sanding 190, showing the chassis frame 100 in operationalconnection with an exemplary edge sanding tool 12. The roller chain 462having a connecting pin 464 is suspended with a spherical articulationto a rocker arm 466. The rocker arm 466 pivot fastened by fastener 470to an upward tool body adapter 472 having a constant pressure spring 468pulling downward to the rocker arm 466 relating a constant upwardpressure on the spherical ball portion of the pin body 464. The upwardtool body adapter 472 may flex forwards and rearwards slightly if aforce or resistance is applied. A reciprocation direction change per endat greater reciprocation velocity would be one example of force orresistance of a direction change and path swing.

The tool body connector 472 may be altered to a floor edge sander body,or a handle portion (not shown). The flat portion of the upward toolbody connector 472 is for the rocker arm 466 having a flat receptorportion for pivot fastener 470 relating articulation.

The tool body connector is articulated resiliently to isolate much ofthe roller chain chatter common with chain driven devices.

A floor edge sander 12 at its nose or forward end causes frictionalforce that urges leftwards when in operation. The chain 462 having anapplied tension exceeding the defined friction forces to minimizedeflection between sprockets having extended chain portions.

A fastener pivot 188 extends through the motor base 452 and is mountedfor tension for driving the roller chain 462. The pin body 464 is in aplane for engagement with the transmission switch 10, to be engagedsequent each loop cycle relating the lap path.

On the lower left side of the automated system for wood floor edgesanding 190 is the forward horizontal guide wheel 112. Just above thehorizontal guide wheel 112 is collision switch 30 for automatic stop ora failsafe feature. The right lower of the automated system for woodfloor edge sanding 190 is the slanted guide 110 and is affixed to biassteering slightly towards the wall or an appropriate guide selectivelyplaced.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a loop extended of the automated system for woodfloor edge sanding such as is shown in FIG. 1 . Between each sprocketwheel are numbers 1 through 4, and these are zones of operation. Zone-1is the lap path, zone-2 is the translating end swing to zone-3 overlapreturn path, and zone-4 is the momentary transmission switch 10 engagedhaving a longer path swing back to zone-1, which results in a lap to theun-worked path. The driven sprocket 422 within the dash line slot 192,the translating sprocket set 426 a and 426 b, and the angular deflectingsprocket 424 are typical of the four zone loop.

FIG. 5 is a top sectional view of the roller chain 462 shortenedselectively by removal and reconnecting links and is looped around foursprocket wheels 422, 424, 426 a, and 426 b in an interchangedarrangement.

FIG. 6 shows three zones 1-3, and three sprocket wheels for the leastrecommended width specific to floor edge sanding. The zone-4 is notfeasible within the arrangement to achieve the least loop operation, andthe transmission is engaged constant, with no intermittence.

The angular deflecting sprocket 424 and switch 10 are outside thereduced loop. The loop 462 would be a floor edge to the portion of awall area parallel to the wood grain in common with plank or strip woodfloors.

Path swing time is lengthened along with the angular portion of zone-4for a feathering lap and overlap, desirable for more planer work surfaceresults, or technical term of blending. The zone-4 arrangement is commonhaving the angular portion as defined and may be altered via a slightsprocket diameter interchange, still maintaining angular portion of theroller chain in zone-4. The velocity over all is adjustable for limitedmovements within the scope of the presented device, including toolprofiles, and tool output characterizations.

Wheels can be in a plurality greater or lesser than is drawn, relativefor travel and support. Mass of the presented device is in proportionfor motion force related to the tool, and wood floor conditions.Finished wood floor surfaces have less traction reception till thefinish or coating is abrasively removed. Wheels 110 and 112 may be of aplurality of resilient wheels for additional traction stability. Themotor 450 may be in offset biasing to the lead side to balance mass. Themotor 450 profile may gear reduce with higher motor rating increasingmass proportioned for the presented operation. The total of thepresented device can be fabricated opposite hand.

What I claim is:
 1. An automated device for wood floor edge sanding,comprising: a chassis comprising a longitudinal slot and a motorslidably coupled to the longitudinal slot; a chain coupled about atleast three sprockets, one sprocket coupled to a shaft of the motor suchthat when the motor is activated, the chain rotates about the sprockets;an edge sander coupled to the chain such that when the chain moves, theedge sander rotates ovally and it intermits travel laterally.
 2. Theautomated device for wood floor edge sanding of claim 1, wherein theedge sander comprises a motor.
 3. The automated device for wood flooredge sanding of claim 2, wherein the motor is coupled to a circularsanding disc.
 4. The automated wood floor edge sanding device of claim1, further comprising guide wheels positioned in line with the edgesander.
 5. The automated wood floor edge sanding device of claim 4,wherein one of the wheel is positioned at an angle related to a guide.6. The automated wood floor edge sanding device of claim 1, wherein theedge sander comprises swivel wheels positioned rearward for moving theedge sander back and for along a guide.
 7. The automated wood floor edgesanding device of claim 1, wherein the motor comprises a tension spring,which relates continuous tension to the roller chain.
 8. The automatedwood floor edge sanding device of claim 1, wherein a second motorpositioned below the chasses and a gear engages a coaxial gear fordriving travel engagement to a coaxial rod.
 9. The automated wood flooredge sanding device of claim 8, wherein drive wheels on opposing ends ofthe coaxial rod 240 define a lead side.
 10. An automated device for woodfloor edge sanding, comprising: a horizontal elevated frame extendedlongitudinally; elevated reciprocating and oscillating output cyclicallyengaged with a sequent cross travel mechanism; first and secondarticulated adaptors operatively sharing a select wood floor edgesanding tool therebetween, the floor edge sanding tool having a sidewardhousing wheel stem extended upwards for received pivot coupled with thefirst adaptor and comprising a slider body oriented at a lower elevationtraversing an extended slider rod.
 11. The automated device for woodfloor edge sanding of claim 10, wherein the second tool adaptor receivesa forward portion of the edge sanding tool housing.
 12. The automateddevice for wood floor edge sanding of claim 11, wherein the forwardportion of the edge sanding tool housing pivotally couples to anarticulating pin suspended from an elevated roller chain loop driven byat least three sprockets and defining a horizontal and reciprocatingmechanism having the comprising oscillating swing motion opposed at eachend imparting a cyclical loop motion.
 13. The automated device for woodfloor edge sanding of claim 12, wherein the roller chain loop extendedlycomprises tension between driven sprocket wheels asymmetrically spacedat predetermined distances to the longitude about a translating end. 14.The automated device for wood floor edge sanding of claim 13, wherein aswing path towards to sequent cross travel direction with momentarilyengaged travels towards a lap path swing.
 15. The automated device forwood floor edge sanding of claim 14, wherein an opposing end ofreciprocation defining frontward of the translating end relative to theguide for edge sanding along a perimeter.
 16. The automated device forwood floor edge sanding of claim 15, wherein the translating end of theswing path is proportioned linearly across to a follow side.
 17. Theautomated device for wood floor edge sanding of claim 16, wherein anoverlap of the second swing path returns reciprocally to complete acyclical loop for continuing cyclical movements, respectively.